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"Shocking betrayal of trust" by man who raped his sleeping girlfriend, lawyers tell appeal court
Summary
Magnus Meyer Hustveit, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault against his 28‑year‑old girlfriend between 2011 and 2012. He received a wholly suspended seven‑year sentence from Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on 13 July 2015. Prosecutors, led by Mary Rose Gearty SC, appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient, citing the repeated rapes, the victim's sleeping state, and the alleged betrayal of trust. They highlighted the victim's trauma and Hustveit's attempts to cross‑examine her medical information. Hustveit's counsel, Caroline Biggs SC, defended the suspended sentence, noting his email admission, good character, youth, low re‑offending risk, cooperation with authorities, and guilty plea. Mr Justice George Birmingham, with two other judges, reserved judgment, noting the hearing's stress but leaving Hustveit's status unchanged. The appeal's outcome remains pending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Shocking betrayal of trust" by man who raped his sleeping girlfriend, lawyers tell appeal court. Charges or matters: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault committed against his 28-year-old girlfriend between 2011 and 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 13 2015 Incident
- 2011 and 2012 Incident
- 2016-02-04 Publication
Why: He pressed 'send' on the email because she had asked him, Ms Biggs said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault committed against his 28-year-old girlfriend between 2011 and 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given a wholly suspended seven year sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on July 13 2015. She said the law did not mandate that suspended sentences could not be afforded for rape.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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